China News Service, February 27 (Xinhua) Comprehensive foreign media reports, the Italian Coast Guard and the police stated that a boat carrying migrants hit a rock near the southern coast of Italy early on the 26th local time, causing injuries including At least 58 people were killed, including women and children, and 80 others were rescued.

Image source: Screenshot of Reuters report

　　The shipwreck occurred near a seaside resort on the east coast of the Calabria region.

According to Reuters, the ship departed from Turkey a few days ago. The migrants on board came from Iran, Afghanistan and other countries. Survivors said there were about 140 to 150 people on board.

　　Local officials said women and children were among the victims.

There are no exact figures on child deaths yet.

The Associated Press reported that the victims included a one-month-old baby and an 8-year-old boy.

　　Choking back, the official said he saw "something you don't want to see in your life ... a horrible sight ... it will stay with you for the rest of your life."

On February 26, 2023 local time, on a beach near Cutro in southern Italy, the wreckage of a ship washed ashore.

　　The Associated Press described the boat hitting rocks in blustery seas.

Some of the wreckage ended up on the beach, with pieces of wood strewn across the beach like matchsticks.

　　The Italian coastguard said in a statement that 80 people had been found alive, some of whom managed to swim to shore after the crash.

Survivors tried to keep warm with blankets and quilts.

They were sent to a temporary shelter.

　　Calabrian firefighters and other emergency personnel continued to search for survivors at sea using speedboats, but harsh sea conditions made the search and rescue operation very difficult.

　　According to the Associated Press, Italian Prime Minister Meloni said the migrants were packed into a 20-meter boat.

She expressed "deep sorrow" over the fatal shipwreck and vowed to stop illegal immigration at sea to prevent more deaths at sea.

　　Since coming to power in October 2022, Meloni's right-wing government has taken a tough stance on illegal immigration.

On February 26, 2023 local time, an immigrant boat broke apart in rough seas, and rescuers salvaged the remains of a victim on a beach near Cutro in southern Italy.

　　Italian Interior Minister Piantedossi said in a statement, "This is a great tragedy that demonstrates the absolute need to resolutely combat the illegal migration channel by sea."

　　He also added that stopping illegal sea crossings is crucial.

Illegal immigrants are indoctrinated with delusions of a better life in Europe, benefiting smugglers and leading to such a "tragedy".

　　Italy is one of the main landing points for migrants trying to enter Europe by sea.

Some 105,000 migrants will arrive on Italian shores in 2022, about 38,000 more than in 2021, according to the Italian Ministry of the Interior.